State Economy, Budget Focus In 4th District Senate Debate

GLASTONBURY — The state's economy and budget woes were the main focus of a debate Wednesday night between candidates for the 4th Senate District seat.

Democratic incumbent Steve Cassano of Manchester came to town for the first of two debates with Republican challenger Whit C. Osgood, who serves as vice-chairman of the Glastonbury Town Council. The district includes Glastonbury, Manchester, Bolton and Andover.

Cassano, who has held the seat since 2010, spent part of his opening remarks criticizing the format of the debate — likening the setting to a "quorum of the Republican party" with much of the chamber, and the panel asking questions, filled with Republicans.

"I am at a disadvantage here," he said, but quickly adding that he's been successful in the Senate because he "works with both sides of the aisle." A second debate is scheduled for Oct. 29 at Manchester Town Hall.

Osgood quickly ended the partisan talk by noting that the headlines are "not partisan spin." He said the state has a large debt, an unemployment level above the national average and a job rate growth below the national average.

"The fix we are in in the state of Connecticut shows we desperately need a new approach," he said.

The candidates faced a wide range of questions, from the application of pesticides on school lawns and athletic fields to the problem of obesity in the state.

The economy and the state of small business, along with the state budget, brought the most heated exchanges from the pair.

Osgood said the state has not created an environment conducive to business and should be fostering business growth and creating jobs. He said the state should change the way it operates and get rid of surcharges it places on corporations.

"We need to control state spending and create a friendlier environment," he said.

Cassano said the legislature has been giving grants to small businesses and putting programs in place to train the next generation of workers. He said one of his favorite things to do as senator is visit dozens of new businesses just getting started.

"Innovation is what it is all about," he said. "Don't tell me why you can't do it, go out and do it."

Osgood said the state needs to control spending and balance the budget. He said that "all areas" of the budget should targeted for cuts and that the state needs to figure out how to run itself more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Cassano said he had lobbied hard to make sure Glastonbury received its $6 million in educational funding from the state, adding the town would have to make up for that if it was reduced or cut.